Coupling.



J. P. METZGER.

COUPLING.

1 APPLICATION FILED JULY 9. m5.

7 I a V 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. All "6 5 %g-Z ,4 wmvsssss INVENTOI? A FOR/V578THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII co., WASHINGTON, D. C.

Patented J 11119 6, 1916.

J'. P. METZGER.

COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1915.

Patented June 6, 1916.v

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

wlmessles INVENTOR Z244: l- /yw 5 W W 4770mm THE COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPI'!20., WASHINGTON, D. c.

U N I TED STATES PA 1 NT OFFICE.

J ULES P. METZGEFJ, OF CARLSTADT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE LESLIECOMPANY, OF LYNIDI-IURST, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW J ERSEY.

COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Application filed July 9, 1915. Serial No. 38,860.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, JULEs P. Mn'rzenn, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Carlstadt, in the county of Bergen and State of NewJersey, have invented a new and Improved Coupling, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved couplingmore especially designed for use on the injector of a locomotive andarranged to enable the engineer to quickly couple or uncouple the steamsupply pipe and the injector.

In order to produce the desired result, use is made of a coupling memberprovided with an internal retaining flange and a locking ring providedon its peripheral face with spaced annular shoulders forming a groovebetween them, the said flange extending into the said peripheral grooveand being straddled by the said shoulders, the said locking ring beingmade in sections, of which one is the key section. Use isalso made of amanually controlled external locking device held on the coupling memberand engaging the key section.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference inclicate corresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of the coupling as appliedand connecting an injector with its steam supply pipe, the section beingon the line 1-1 of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a cross section of the same on theline 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section of amodified form of the coupling; Fig. 4 is a similar view of anothermodified form of the coupling; Fig. 5 is a similar view of anothermodified form of the coupling; Fig. 6 is a face view of a modified formof the key section of the locking ring; Fig. 7 is a plan view of thesame with part shown in section; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal centralsection of the coupling provided with a modified form of locking devicefor the key section of the locking ring; Fig. 9 is a cross section ofthe same on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 .is a longitudinal centralsect1on of the coupling provided with another modified form of lockingdevice for the key sect1on; Fig. 11 is a cross section of the same onthe line 1111 of Fig. 10; and Fig. 12 is a face view of the key sectionof the coupling shown in Figs. 10 and 11.

In locomotive service the steam connections and couplings for same areof primary importance and this is particularly so in reference to theinjectors and their pipe connections. The present invention permits ofmaking repairs in case of mishap to the equipment in the quickestpossible time. In

case of the breaking of brazed or other joints of locomotiveconnections, these parts have to be renewed. This is accomplished withgreat difiiculty with ordinary couplings, requiring in some cases thecutting of pipe and rebrazing of sleeves, frequently.

making it impossible to do the repairs on the road and requiring thetrain to be taken to the round house, thus subjecting the trains togreat delay.

In the present improvement, the novel construction of parts presents thebest possible means of disconnecting and connecting the parts, theimprovement providing reversible parts, so that it is impossible to putthem in wrong position, and the coupling or renewal of the coupling nutcan be accomplished in the shortest possible time. In former devices ofthis class, some are complicated, requiring special tools, and othersare diflicult to get at, and the parts used have to beselected, as theyare right and left parts, and in such cases it is not really certainthat the parts are properly assembled, or in proper alinement or thatone part is not binding upon the other. This is especially the case whenthe work has to be done not only in the quickest time, but while theparts may be hot and the repairs may have to be made at night. In thepresent invention the engineer can couple or uncouple by merely feelingthe parts and when the parts are put together a perfect joint isinsured.

The coupling illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is shown applied to alocomotive injector for coupling the steam pipe A to the threaded partor nipple B of the injector B. The pipe A, which is usually made ofcopper, is provided with a coupling head A in the form of a sleeve,soldered, brazed or otherwise fastened to the end of the pipe A, and thesaid coupling head is provided at its forward end with an annularshoulder A adapted to abut against the end of the nipple B, thecontacting parts being preferably beveled to form a tight joint, asplainly indicated in Fig. 1. On the nipple B screws a coupling nut Cprovided at its outer end with an inwardly extending annular flange Cstraddled by spaced annular shoulders D and D formed on the peripheralface of a locking ring D fitting onto the head A of the pipe A andadapted to abut against the shoulder A", as plainly indicated in Fig. 1.It is understood that the flanges D and D form between them a grooveinto which extends the flange C so that when the nut C is screwed up onthe nipple D the locking ring D firmly draws the head A in engagementwith the nipple B to properly couple the members A and B together. Thelocking ring D is made in sections, preferably, a key section. D and twoside sections D and D, as plainly indicated in Fig. 2. By constructingthe locking ring D in the manner described, the section can be readilyremoved from the nut C on unscrewing the latter and moving the ringbeyond the coupling head A onto the pipe A. It is understood that whenthe nut C and the ring D reach this position they can be readily movedinto eccentric position relatively to the pipe A to allow of moving thekey section D from the flange C, after which the side sections D*, D canalso be conveniently removed from the flange C. It will be noticed thatthe said sections D, D are interchangeably reversible and hence theengineer is enabled to quickly place the same in position after repairsare made and the pipe is again to be coupled to the injector. The keysection D is reversible so that'it can be placed quickly andconveniently in position to hold the side sections D, D in place and toallow of engaging the ring with the flange C. After the parts areassembled the locking ring can be readily slipped onto the head A and onscrewing up the nut 0 causes a re-coupling of the members A and B, aspreviously explained. The flange C is provided with a bevel C at itsouter face to permit of conveniently engaging the sections D D and Dwith the flange C when assembling the parts as above explained. In orderto prevent accidental dropping out of the key section D on uncouplingthe parts, use is made of a retaining or locking device E, preferably inthe form of a spring secured to the peripheral face of the coupling nutC and engaging with its free end a slot or groove D formed on each sideof the key section D It is understood that by this arrangement thespring E engages the groove D which is outermost at the time.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 3, the pipe A is provided with anintegral. head A having a shoulder A onto which fits the ring D engagedby the flange C of the coupling nut C screwing on the nipple B of theinjector B. Otherwise, the construction is the same as above describedin reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 4:, the flange C of the coupling nutC is beveled at both the inner and outer sides and the shoulders D and Dof the locking nut D are similarly beveled at their inner oppositesides. Qtherwise the construction is similar to that shown in Fig. 3.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 5, the locking ring D has its innerwall rounded olf. Otherwise the structure is practically the same asabove described in reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4c.

The groove D of the key section D instead of being straight as shown inFig. 2, may be curved, as indicated in Figs. (3 and 7, and the back wallof the groove is preferably slightly indented as at D for engagement bythe free end of the spring E to prevent shifting of the locking ring Don the head A of the pipe A.

The locking device E, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, consists of a springattached to the coupling nut C, and on the free end of the spring issecured a dovetailed tongue E adapted to engage a correspondingly shapedgroove D formed in key section D of the locking ring D. It is understoodthat the dovetailed groove D is on both sides of the key section D toallow of placing the latter in either position on the head A of the pipeA.

In the modified form of the locking device shown in Figs. 10 and 11, thekey section D is provided on each side with a groove D", the same asabove described in reference to Figs. 8 and 9, and either groove isengaged by a correspondingly shaped block E held on a rod E attached tothe coupling nut C. The block E is provided with finger pieces .13adapted to be taken hold of by the engineer to permit of convenientlymoving the block E out of engagement with the dove tail groove Dwhenever it is desired to uncouple the coupling. A spring E is coiled onthe rod E and presses the block E so as to hold the latter normally inengagement with the groove D From the foregoing it will be seen that thecoupling shown and described is very simple in construction and itsparts can be readily assembled and applied to the members to be coupledtogether. It will also be noticed that by making the locking ring insections, of which the side sections are interchangeable and reversibleand the key section is reversible, the engineer does not experience anydifliculty in assembling the parts in daylight or during the night.

I do not limit myself to theparticular application of the coupling asshown and described, as it is evident that the coupling may be used forcoupling other members than those shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, a locking ring provided on its peripheral face withspaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the said flangeextending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled by thesaid shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections of whichone is the key section, and locking means for the key section.

2. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, a locking ring provided on its peripheral face withspaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the said flangeextending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled by thesaid shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections of whichone is the key section,

and a locking device held on the said coupling member and engaging thesaid key section.

3. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, a locking ring provided on its peripheral face withspaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the said flangeextending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled by thesaid shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections of whichone is the key section, the said key section being provided on its sideswith grooves, and a locking device held on the coupling member andadapted to engage the side groove outermost at the time.

4. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, a locking ring provided on its peripheral face withspaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the said flangeextending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled by thesaid shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections of whichone is the key section, the said key section being provided on each sidewith a groove, and a spring attached to the coupling member and engagingwith its free end the said side groove outermost at the time.

5. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an'internalretaining flange, and a. locking ring provided on its peripheral facewith spaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the saidflange extending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled bythe said shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections ofwhich one is the key section, the said locking ring sections beingreversible. I

6. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, a locking ring provided on its peripheral face withspaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the said flangeextending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled by thesaid shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections of whichone is the key section and the other two are the side sections, thelatter being interchangeable, the key section being reversible, andmeans for holding the key section in place.

7. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange, and a locking ring provided on its peripheral facewith spaced annular shoulders forming a groove between them, the saidflange extending into the said peripheral groove and being straddled bythe said shoulders, the said locking ring being made in sections, ofwhich one is the key section and the other two are the side sections,the latter being interchangeable, and

all the sections being reversible.

8. A coupling, comprising a coupling member provided with an internalretaining flange beveled at its outer face, and a locking ring providedon its peripheral face with spaced annular shoulders forming a groovebetween them, the said flange extending into the said peripheral grooveand being straddled by the said shoulders, the said locking ring beingmade in sections of which one is the key section.

9. Ina coupling, the combination of two members to be coupled together,one of the members being provided with an external thread and the othermember having a coupling head smaller in diameter than the said thread,a coupling nut screwing on the said thread, and a sectional ringengaging the said nut and the said coupling head, the sections of saidring being reversible and one of the sections being a key section.

10. In a coupling ring the combination of two members to be coupledtogether, one

of the members being provided. with an external thread and the othermember having a coupling head smaller in diameter than the said thread,a coupling nut screwing on the said thread, a sectional ring engagingthe In testimony whereof I have signed my said nut and the said couplinghead, the secname to this speolficatlon 1n the presence of tlons of thesaid ring belng reversible and two subscrlbing wltnesses.

one of the sections being a key section, and J ULES P. METZGER. 5 a,manually controlled retaining device Htnesses;

mounted on the said nut for holding the TI-IEO. G. Hos'rER,

key section in place. GEORGE H. EMSLIE.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. 0.

